plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplä-zə  ˈpla- 

1

a

: a public square in a city or town

b

: an open area usually located near urban buildings and often featuring walkways, trees and shrubs, places to sit, and sometimes shops

2

: a place on a thoroughfare (such as a turnpike) at which all traffic must temporarily stop (as to pay tolls)

3

: an area adjacent to an expressway which has service facilities (such as a restaurant, gas station, and restrooms)

4

: shopping center

Examples of plaza in a Sentence

They put his statue in the town's plaza.

Recent Examples on the Web

When asked why the shade structure was not included from the beginning, Trantalis said everyone thought an open-air plaza would work. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026

Same with traffic heading off to the left of the turnpike to get to the plaza bathrooms and fast-food windows. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026

Developers expect the arena and surrounding plaza to cost approximately $175 million and plan to complete the project in time to host games in late 2027. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Underground work on the plaza is nearly complete and construction on the stairwells and brick facade for the parking garage is on track to be done by June 1, Brodigan said. —Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Latin platea broad street — more at place

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing plaza

• toll plaza

Rhymes for plaza

• causa

Kids Definition

plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplaz-ə  ˈpläz- 

: a public square in a city or town